The Presidential Youth Town Hall Episode

On July 20, 2024, I had the honor of speaking at a historic Youth Town Hall with President Joseph N. Boakai,Sr. I was one of eight panelists selected to represent the voices of young people across Liberia, especially in the space of politics and governance.
When asked what scares me most as a young woman and what keeps me up at night, I didn’t hesitate. Inadequate youth representation and corruption—two deeply rooted issues—were my honest answers. I knew I wasn’t just speaking for myself; I was echoing the concerns of thousands of young Liberians who feel excluded from decision-making processes and disillusioned by systems that seem built to work against them.
But I didn’t just raise concerns, we offered a solution / pathway. we recommended to the President that instead of having just one youth advisor, he should establish a Youth Advisory Council that would bring more voices to the table. To our surprise and deep gratitude, he agreed. Not long after, a seven-member Youth Advisory Council was formed: four from statutory youth structures, and three rotational members to ensure diverse representation (it’s a privilege to serve on the council). It was a win, not just for me, but for young people across Liberia.
This year, the Council stepped up its efforts and hosted the second youth town hall which took place on July 25, 2025. This time, we invited key government actors: the Ministers of Youth and Sports, Labor, and Education. These sessions created an unprecedented space where young people could directly engage the officials whose policies affect their daily lives.
The energy was electric. The hunger for dialogue was real. Young people came not just with questions, but with bold ideas and a fierce desire to be heard. And it became crystal clear to me: one town hall a year with the President is not enough.
That’s when a new thought came up. What if we held multiple themed town halls throughout the year, each focused on specific ministries and pressing issues, education, employment, entrepreneurship, security, and more? These dialogues would lead up to the President’s annual engagement, allowing for continuous accountability, feedback, and follow-up.
This journey, from expressing fears on a national stage to helping institutionalize youth engagement, reminds me why I do this work. We’re not just asking for seats at the table anymore. We’re building the table, inviting others, and changing the conversation.
The work is far from over, but the spark has been lit.